Inter coach axed

Milan: Inter Milan have sacked coach Hector Cuper, according to the Serie A club's official website. Cuper had been warned by chairman Massimo Moratti that further setbacks would not be tolerated after Inter lost 3-1 to rivals AC Milan two weeks ago. Inter drew 2-2 away at Brescia on Saturday. Cuper, a former Argentina central defender, took over at Inter in June 2001 after coaching stints in Argentina and at Real Mallorca and Valencia in Spain. Juventus moved three points clear at the top of the table after two goals from Fabrizio Miccoli helped the champions to a 3-2 win at Ancona.

IRAQ

Peace game in Perth

The Iraqi national team will visit Perth next month to play a representative Australian side in a special "World Peace Game" on November 16. The 10-day tour is aimed at building goodwill and will include training clinics and exhibition matches in Albany and Bunbury. The Iraqi team - coached by former Perth Glory coach Bernd Stange - will play an Australian team including former Socceroo Robbie Slater, WA team members and Australian Institute of Sport players in Perth on November 16. The tour is being partially funded by the Australian Sports Commission and the WA Government.

SCOTLAND

Midfielder on Celtic injury list

Glasgow: Celtic's 5-0 demolition of Hearts consolidated their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League but it came at a potentially high price. English midfielder Alan Thompson joined his compatriot Chris Sutton on the doubtful list for Tuesday's Champions League match against Anderlecht after the recurrence of a hamstring injury during the Parkhead victory. The three points extended Celtic's lead over Rangers at the top of the table to four points ahead of their arch rivals' trip to Motherwell on Sunday. Elsewhere, Kilmarnock denied Dunfermline the chance to move up to third place by coming from behind to claim a 3-2 win.

SPAIN

Deportivo stay ahead of Real

Madrid: Brazilian World Cup stars Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos claimed a goal apiece to give Real Madrid a 2-0 victory at Celta Vigo but Deportivo became the Spanish league leaders after they also won 2-0 at Barcelona. Deportivo have 18 points from their seven games, two ahead of the reigning Spanish champions. Unbeaten Valencia have 16 points, after starting the weekend on top of the table, but have a game in hand and played bottom club Espanyol on Sunday. Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz praised England captain David Beckham for his hard work in the centre of the park. "He's adapting to the position. Each game he's looking more comfortable," said Queiroz.

FRANCE

Barthez wants to move home

Paris: France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez wants to sign a nine-month loan deal with Olympique Marseille after being sidelined at English champions Manchester United. Barthez, who arrived in Marseille on Saturday, said a move back to his home country would suit everyone. "From the moment I knew negotiations had started between Manchester and Marseille I was in a hurry to come back here," Barthez said in an interview on the French club's website. "It's a loan, when the contract is signed, for nine months and after that we will see what the future holds." Barthez, third in the pecking order at United but first choice for France, must receive permission from FIFA to change clubs outside the transfer window, which opens again in January. In other news, Marseille, second in the table, were thrashed 4-1 by Racing Strasbourg. Elsewhere, leaders Monaco gained a 1-1 home draw against AJ Auxerre.

GERMANY

Leverkusen clinch top spot

Berlin: Bayer Leverkusen crushed Hertha Berlin 4-1 to go into first place in the Bundesliga first division. Leverkusen moved on to 22 points, one ahead of VfB Stuttgart who remained undefeated with a 3-1 victory over previous leaders Werder Bremen. Stuttgart scored twice midway through the first half - Imre Szabics in the 31st minute and Kevin Kuranyi three minutes later. Bremen cut the lead in half with a goal from striker Angelos Charisteas in the 59th minute that ended Stuttgart keeper Timo Hildebrand's record of 885 minutes without a goal. Stuttgart's Christian Tiffert made it 3-1 in the 90th minute.

THE NETHERLANDS

PSV Eindhoven chasing leaders

Amsterdam: PSV Eindhoven kept up the pressure on first division leaders Ajax Amsterdam as goals from Arjen Robben and Mateja Kezman gave them a comfortable 2-0 home win over Heerenveen. PSV's Serbia and Montenegro striker Kezman's second-half goal capped a turbulent week in which the Dutch police said they had foiled a plot to kidnap him earlier this month. Ajax thrashed Volendam 5-1 to move on to 21 points and guarantee top spot for at least another week, with PSV now two points behind. Third-placed AZ Alkmaar had a chance to move level on points with PSV when they played Utrecht on Sunday.